NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. - The Merrimack College men's hockey team completed a solid weekend against New Hampshire with a 2-2 tie Saturday afternoon at Lawler Rink. The Wildcats earned the extra Hockey East standings point with a 2-1 shootout victory.
Max Newton scored his first goal as a Warrior and Regan Kimens found the scoresheet as well, as the Warriors claimed four points in the standings during the weekend set.
The Basics
Score: Merrimack 2, New Hampshire 2 (UNH wins shootout 2-1)
Records: Merrimack (2-7-1, 2-7-1 HEA) | New Hampshire (3-8-2, 3-8-2 HEA)
Game Duration: 2:30
How It Happened
- The Wildcats started off with more momentum than Friday's affair, but Merrimack had a fortunate bounce come its way for the first goal of the game. Six and a half minutes in, UNH looked to clear its own end, but Patrick Kramer blocked the attempt off his skate. The puck ricocheted near the goal line, where Kimens collected it and somehow snuck a shot under the bar for his first of the season.
- New Hampshire leveled the score with five minutes to play when Tyler Ward took advantage of a turnover, then beat Warrior goalie Zachary Borgiel.
- Merrimack turned the tides in the second period and was rewarded for it just over 14 minutes in. While in the offensive zone, Ben Brar pushed a puck forward for Alex Jefferies below the goal line. The freshman turned a centering pass to the slot where newcomer Newton fired a one-timer home for his first goal in a Warrior sweater.
- The game got knotted with just 33 seconds left in the second when the Wildcats converted on a 4-on-3 power play. Merrimack outshot the visitors 13-8 in the frame to hold a 22-16 edge into the second intermission.
- Merrimack had a golden opportunity in the third period to win the game when a contact to the head major and misconduct penalty was levied on the Wildcats. The Warriors were unable to convert on the chance, which extended into the overtime session.
- The extra session had chances for both teams, but neither converted.
- Merrimack played in its first shootout of the season after the overtime period. Chase Gresock scored in the first round, but the Wildcats scored twice in the row to get the extra standings point.
Notes & Numbers
- Merrimack finished with four league points on the weekend, which was its best series result so far this season.
- The Warriors once again held the edge in shots on goal. This time by a 34-23 count.
- Declan Carlile had three blocked shots and finished +1 to complete a stellar weekend.
- Brar and Jefferies have now both had a point in each of their last three games.
- Along with his first career goal, Newton finished 15-for-22 at the faceoff dot.
Up Next
Hockey East announced earlier this week that game schedules are to be announced on a week-by-week basis.
